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If you go

WHAT: Tour of Saints, with 50- 35- and 18-mile rides. WHEN: Check in (and start riding) between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. Sunday. WHERE: Starts and ends at the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph. COST: Through Wednesday — $35 ($47 with a T-shirt), adults; $10 ($22 with shirt), ages 5 through 17. Registration costs $5 more starting Thursday. REGISTER:http://tourofsaints.com

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Most years, Lynn Schurman watches the waves of Tour of Saints bicyclists amid the doughnuts, muffins and cookies Cold Spring Bakery provides riders at the first stop on the route.

“The first people that come through are usually the people that are timing themselves. They might not even grab water or anything,” said Schurman, who co-owns the bakery. The second wave wants to make good time but will stop for a break. The third wave focuses on the social aspects of the ride.

On Sunday, Schurman, 55, who bikes the five miles to work and back when weather permits, plans to be among the riders. It’s only the second year she’s been able to break away from the bakery, which has been involved since the first ride 32 years ago. Relatives of the friend who asked her to ride will volunteer in her place.

“The last time I rode with this friend was the one year it rained the whole day,” Schurman said. In recent years, heat has been more of an issue.

The pair hasn’t decided whether they’ll pedal the 35- or the 50-mile loop of the tour. Both follow hilly roads bordered by fields, pastures, lakes and woods. New this year is an 18-mile route that runs from St. Joseph to Avon and back on the paved, flat Lake Wobegon Regional Trail. All three rides begin at the College of St. Benedict.

“I think the shorter course is of interest to another segment of riders. It makes it possible for them to consider doing the ride,” said event organizer Michael Doyle. “I really want to encourage people who haven’t done something like this to give it a try. I’ve seen so many people do a ride like this, and then it becomes a part of their lifestyle.”

Doyle estimated Sunday’s ride would draw 1,000 riders and cost about $28,000 to put on. Money raised will help to fund this year’s race and will benefit the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. About 650 people had registered as of Thursday. Same-day registration is heavily weather dependent. Doyle said about 50 riders showed up the first year; participation peaked at about 2,500 in 1995.

Mechanics will be on hand at rest stops in Cold Spring, at Collegeville Orchards and in Avon — stops where riders will find food, drink and restrooms. Support vehicles will be deployed with help from an amateur radio club.

Schurman, who was getting her 21-speed hybrid tuned up last week, said she has seen all ages — from children to people in their 90s — participate.

“It’s pretty laid back. There’s no requirement that you finish at a certain time,” Schurman said. “If you like to bike, just take advantage of the pretty scenery and enjoy yourself and take advantage of the rest stops along the way.”

That seems to mesh with Tour of Saints’ tag line: “Not a race. A heavenly little ride.”